Kyrgyz political conflict will shape 2020 election

Significance

Kyrgyz politics has entered a volatile phase as the 18-month-old conflict between the current and last presidents is in full flow with mutual accusations of corruption and authoritarianism and Atambayev-era officials arrested and prosecuted.

Impacts

• A new immunity law harms the democratic process by making it risky for any future president to leave office.
• Russia will remain silent: it has few stakes in the conflict since Jeenbekov is continuing Atambayev's pro-Moscow line.
• Beijing will watch for signs of politicians stirring anti-Chinese sentiment to score points domestically.